Rays Activate Williamson From Injured List, Cut Fraley

The Tampa Bay Rays activated infielder Ben Williamson from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, marking his return after a lengthy absence due to a right hamstring strain. Williamson had been out of action for approximately six weeks, a significant stretch that removed a piece of the Rays' lineup during a critical part of the season.

In corresponding roster moves, the Rays designated outfielder Jake Fraley for assignment, clearing the necessary 40-man roster space for Williamson's activation. The move leaves Tampa's 40-man roster at full capacity, meaning the team will need to make further transactions if any other personnel changes become necessary before the season concludes.

Fraley's departure comes after he had been non-tendered earlier, indicating the Rays had already decided against guaranteeing him a contract for next season. His designation for assignment suggests his role in Tampa's plans had diminished, likely paving the way for Williamson's return to be prioritized as the team finishes out the year.

For the Rays, getting Williamson back addresses a hole that developed during his recovery period. Hamstring strains typically require careful rehab to avoid re-injury, so the medical staff presumably felt confident about his readiness to return to game action. The timing of his activation also suggests Tampa believes having him available for the final stretch is worth the roster shuffle.

Source: original report ↗